Lyon go clear at the top
Lyon moved clear at the top of Ligue 1 today following a 3-1 win against Monaco.
A Juninho penalty after 12 minutes gave Lyon a lead that Anthony Reveillere doubled six minutes later before Sylvain Monsoreau (41) got Monaco back in it.
But Karim Benzema scored just after the break to seal the win and move Lyon three points clear of Nancy, who have two games in hand and play Sochaux on Sunday
Rennes leapfrogged Le Mans into third place after securing a 3-0 win over Rudi Garcia’s side courtesy of goals from Mickael Pagis (11), Sylvain Wiltord (53) and a last-minute strike by substitute Julian Esteban.
That result also saw Rennes move clear of Bordeaux, who could only manage a 1-1 draw away at Strasbourg.
Kevin Gameiro (15) gave the home side the lead but David Bellion (62) equalised to keep Bordeaux within six points of the summit.
Valenciennes sit just a point behind Bordeaux and Le Mans, and missed the opportunity to leapfrog them both after being held to a goalless draw by underachieving Paris Saint Germain.
A brace from Bakari Kone helped Nice to a 3-1 win over Metz, who still sit bottom of the table with just a single win so far this term.
Kone (11) opened the scoring before netting his second with a penalty (59) and Cedric Kante made it 3-0 six minutes later.
Cedric Barbosa (68) grabbed a consolation for Metz but was then sent off in the last minute.
St Etienne beat 10-man Toulouse 2-0 courtesy of a brace from Bafetimbi Gomis (30 and 36) with the win virtually sealed before the 42nd-minute dismissal of Laurent Batlles.
Caen continued to edge away from the drop zone as they beat Lille 1-0 courtesy of an own goal by Gregory Tafforeau.
Caen remain just one point behind Auxerre, who beat Lorient 5-3 in an eight-goal thriller.
A hat-trick from substitute Ireneusz Jelen and two from Daniel Niculae sealed the win as Auxerre twice came from behind to win.
Rafik Saifi gave Lorient a fifth-minute lead but Niculae (54) equalised before Saifi (58) bagged his second to restore the lead.
Jelen then came off the bench and scored twice (72 and 74) within three minutes of coming on to put his side in control.
Niculae (82) grabbed his second before Jelen made it five in the last minute but there was still time for Kemal Bourhani to grab another for Lorient.
